The Lagos State House of Assembly has summoned the Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye to appear before it to explain the modalities behind her plan to introduce Chinese language in public schools curriculum.
The issue was raised yesterday at the plenary session by one of the members, Abdoulbaqi Balogun (Ajeromi/Ifelodun II) under the matter of urgent public importance, adding that the idea of introducing Chinese Language in public schools, has no relevance to the economy of the state.
He said: "Speaking the language in schools would help the Chinese to promote the language and the language should have been for the tertiary institutions not secondary schools".
In his remarks, Rotimi Olowo (Somolu II) also argued that most students are not fluent in speaking Yoruba Language which has contributed to the declining of the cultural value of the language, saying that the Nigerian children should be well groomed in the indigenous languages, rather than concentrate on Chinese language which has no significance to the country.
Also speaking, the Deputy Leader, Lola Akande (Ikeja II) said there was nothing wrong in bringing Chinese Language to schools if children can understand it at their tender age.
Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji added that, in most of the countries he had visited, children within the age of 15 years do speak about three or more languages, adding that it is good for young children to learn more languages.
The lawmakers therefore summoned the Commissioner to appear before the House next week Tuesday to explain reason for the introduction Chinese Language in the school curriculum